Projecting 2026 Two Deeps
- Thread starter HFNY
- Start date
PostGameOrangeSlices
Well-known poster
Need DT
I think they need another Thompson type or two on the DL unless Kahn or Macon are ready. (Not banking on developmental guys until they prove it). I'm not sold on Degraff as a TE1. He can't block worth a lick, kinda has noodle arms two years in and he has a tendency to get the drops at really bad times. Agree on the other positions. They need both a speed guy and a big heavy on the edge to add to the rotation. Assuming the players at UW like the program as much as they seem to, they're really only looking at 2 rotational DL, 2 edge players, 1 versatile experienced OL, 1 outside CB, a big TE that can block and one big, tall outside WR. That's only eight players and only three of those are premium priced guys. Spend big on a disrupter off the edge, a CB2 and a taller outside WR to catch the 35 fade passes Judd likes to call every game. They aren't trying to find 30 kids again. Spend wisely and the team could take another step next year.
AtomicDawg
New Fish
degraaf cannot block and didn't impress as a pass catcher either, but has the potential as a decent receiving tight end. He cannot be your starter if you're trying to be a playoff team. So many TFL's and missed conversions when he blew assignments on blocks.
Eldridge was a decent blocking tight end and fullback in short yardage in limited action.
HFNY
Well-known poster
- I agree, they need a three down DE since it's tough to count on Ward or Davis to A) be healthy B) be able to stop the run consistently as well C) fully know how ready DCB will be to take on upperclassman OTs.
3. I'd love to have Thad Dixon come back. He's familiar with the program, originally from the West Coast, and fans would welcome him back with open arms.
4. It's tough to know about TE because DeGraaf didn't have a redshirt year to get bigger / stronger. He would have been just a RS-Frosh this year but was pressed into duty last year. How does the staff feel about Eldridge? How do they feel about Charlie Crowell, who went out for the year early but will be a RS-Soph next year?
5. Similar to TE, it's tough to know about DT. If Anterio Thompson can come back and Jayvon Parker will be fully healthy after getting past the 18 month achilles injury mark, then maybe they won't add a DT. Or they may add a massive NT (if they can't get another year for Simote Pepa, who only played 4 games this year and could RS).
In general, I imagine proven portal guys are the most expensive (similar to NFL free agency) so I wonder if the staff goes for quality over quantity this off-season.
Our tight ends suck though.
or two or three.
Tight end to be this big of a weakness is a travesty at Washington. Though part of it I guess is our soft state no longer producing the types the way it used to. DeGraaf is fine, but a guy who historically for UW shouldn't be getting many reps until his redshirt sophomore year, at the earliest. Seemingly passing on Dorian Thomas from Kent was a weird massive whiff.
Couldn’t help but look at the 2 Oregon TE’s. We just don’t have dudes who look like that.
How can TE be a problem when we've successfully recruited the third best high school TE in the state of Oregon 3 years in a row?
That dude is getting OPI called on him every play outside of the B1G
HFNY
Well-known poster
Regarding the portal, I don't think they will go for a TE now with Rhino aboard. He just may be the #2 or #3 TE due to his blocking abilities though I still liked what I saw from Eldridge before he got hurt (and he'll be a RS-JR at 6'4" 255 lbs).
Fisch said he expects Greene to start at LT so the backup would be Faasolo (RS-JR), Hykelma (RS-Soph), or Elisah Jackett (RS-JR). Jackett was the highest rated but has been dinged and is undersized at 270 lbs.
I see the biggest portal priorities as WR, DE, and CB (assuming Anterio Thompson gets another year and either Armon Parker or Simote Pepa are on the 2026 roster two).
I'm not sure they go for a portal OL since they sound confident that Greene is ready to start and the other positions have returning starters.
Regardless, if they only go for 3-5 portal guys, they would probably be able to focus more on experienced quality than quantity which bodes well.
Fisch said he expects Greene to start at LT so the backup would be Faasolo (RS-JR), Hykelma (RS-Soph), or Elisah Jackett (RS-JR). Jackett was the highest rated but has been dinged and is undersized at 270 lbs.
I see the biggest portal priorities as WR, DE, and CB (assuming Anterio Thompson gets another year and either Armon Parker or Simote Pepa are on the 2026 roster two).
I'm not sure they go for a portal OL since they sound confident that Greene is ready to start and the other positions have returning starters.
Regardless, if they only go for 3-5 portal guys, they would probably be able to focus more on experienced quality than quantity which bodes well.
I'm glad someone asked to be honest.
I’m not sure what the roster numbers are but Fish said he will take as many in the portal as enter the portal. Agree that DE, DL and CB2 are the most important spots. Assuming everyone on the OL stays I think they’re pretty much set there. Azzopardi, Mills, Paki, Greene on the outside, Mills, Paki, Tualala, Henning and Hatchett on the inside. Pay for a difference making edge player and pay for an experienced one year rental at CB (Dixon??). Do what you did last year and get some rotational DL help. They’re young but the returning talent is well spread out. Hit the portal the way they hit the 26 class and 10-2 should be the expectation.